California

California Utility Customers Can Save Money

Energy Upgrade Californiatm offers incentives to customers of Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), Southern California Edison (SCE) and many other California utilities to help defray the costs of home energy-efficiency improvements.

The Basic Upgrade Package, which includes sealing air leaks and installing insulation, can yield up to $1,000 in incentives.

The Advanced Upgrade Package, which includes the basic package measures where applicable, can net customers up to $4,000 in incentives. It may include installing energy-efficient windows, duct replacement, highefficiency furnace, better heating and cooling systems, and highefficiency water-heating systems.

The more energy a homeowner saves, the higher the incentive. Some cities and counties offer additional rebates for making the improvements.

“If there are any customers who are considering making energy-efficiency upgrades in their homes, now’s the time to do it.

They’ll be rewarded not only financially, but also with lower electricity bills,” said Gene Rodrigues, SCE’s director of Energy Efficiency and Customer Solar. “Most importantly, they’ll be contributing to California’s clean, green, energy future.”

“We are proud to offer this program to our customers because it rewards them for investing in their homes in order to realize long-term energy savings,” said Gillian Wright, director of customer programs and assistance for SoCalGas. “We’re always looking for ways to help our customers save money and help the region achieve both environmental and economic sustainability.”

To qualify for incentives, customers must schedule a home energy assessment with a participating Energy Upgrade California contractor. After receiving the results and determining the work necessary, the homeowner then plans the improvements with the contractor.

Next, the participating contractor applies for the incentive on the customer’s behalf after completion of the improvements.

Some customers can choose other options, such as energyefficient appl iances, that can earn them further rebates from their city, county or utility.

To learn more about the program and to find a participating Energy Upgrade California contractor, please visit www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org.

Intern Coordinator, Fellow Graduate of 2011

Anna Wenger, Intern Coordinator at Black Voice News Riverside location, is a fellow graduate of the class of her UCR and CSUSB interns. Finally completing her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Communications at California Baptist University, Wenger was inspired to complete her formal education by her interns.

After being a fashion designer in Hollywood for over 20 years and owning her own mail order clothing company, Wenger relocated to Riverside and returned to her love of writing when she began working as a freelance news reporter for the Black Voice News in 2004. It was there that she established a very popular internship program which attracts approximately 50 students per month. It was then she realized that she wanted to make a difference in students’ lives.

She says she trains them in basic accounting, project management, marketing, writing, and event planning and they help her with various campaigns and projects.

Although it was hard at times to find a balance of school and work, Anna does not regret her decision to go back to school.

However, she does admit that time management has been a struggle throughout the entire journey but she stayed focused on her goal and pursued her dreams.

Her student interns also had a major impact on her decision to continue on to pursue her Master’s of Public Administration. Wenger says, “the response from the interns after they received their certificates of completion from the Black Voice News lets me know that they appreciate the mentoring and training provided to them.” Wenger will receive her MPA from CBU in the Fall of 2011. Anna also says that the Black Voice News and Black Voice Foundation encourages and supports higher education.

Community Briefs

On Monday June 27, 2011 Anointed Touch Ministries summer day camp will began.

They have several activities scheduled including a basketball clinic and a dance clinic, as well as tutoring, and vacation Bible School. For more information, please call (909) 527- 0793 to register.

On Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 10am-6pm, Anointed Touch Ministries will be holding their Annual Teen Summit. They will have several presenters speaking on topics such as self-esteem, bullying, pregnancy, substance abuse, teen dropout, gangs, life skills, college prep, career awareness, and image awareness.

They will also have spoken word and a free lunch. There is no cost for this event. Please register by calling (909) 527-0793. Ages 9-25.

Fontana’s Cooling Facilities The Mayor and City Council invite the public to use the City’s cooling facilities to keep cool and hydrated during the summer.

Cooling facilities are places that the public can use to get relief from the heat. Each facility has seating areas, air conditioning and drinking water for residents to use and enjoy. The cooling facilities are available during the hottest parts of the day throughout the summer.

FONTANAFontana’s cooling facilities are located at the following centers:

FONTANAGolf Tournament to Benefit Scholarship Foundation The Wilmer Amina Carter Foundation Third Annual Golf Classic charity event on June 24, 2011 recognizes graduating students at Wilmer Amina Carter High School and other high schools in the 62nd District.

District 62 Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter is host of the tournament and awards dinner at Sierra Lakes Golf Course in Fontana.

SAN BERNARDINOComments Sought for I-15/I- 215 Interchange Improvement The California Department of Transportation and San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) will host a public meeting this month to present the results of the Draft Environmental Document for the Interstate 15/Interstate 215 Interchange Improvements Project in Devore.

The public meeting will be held Monday, June 20 from 4:30 pm to 7 pm at Kimbark Elementary School, 18021 Kenwood Avenue, in the Devore area.

Caltrans and SANBAG have been studying the proposed addition of one northbound lane and one southbound lane on Interstate 15 between Kenwood Avenue and Interstate 215.

Southwest Employees Team with Student Conservation Association to put Conservation In Action

In celebration of its 40th Anniversary, Southwest Airlines is teaming up with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) for the Conservation In Action Tour: 40 Projects for 40 Years to take their commitment to volunteerism and their passion for conservation on the road, literally!

Students from the SCA will travel from coast to coast in a custom-designed Southwest Airlines biodiesel RV. During the summer-long tour, the RV will stop in 25 cities, joining Southwest Employees and community members in conservation projects across the country.

“This is the perfect way to celebrate our 40th Anniversary,” said Southwest Airlines Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO Gary Kelly. “Volunteering and giving back is something that our People do year round.

It’s our way of saying thank you to the communities that have given so much to us!”

The tour officially kicks off today, in the airline’s hometown of Dallas. More than 700 Southwest Employees from all across the system will take part in conservation projects at the Texas Trees Foundation, Trinity River Audubon Center, and Rochester Park.

“SCA is proud to join Southwest Airlines in spreading the word and the practice of hands-on conservation,” said SCA President Dale M. Penny. “These projects will generate immediate benefits to the communities we visit, and in the long-term they will promote ongoing stewardship and sustainability. That’s a real win-win for all.”

SCA is a nonprofit organization that provides individuals aged 15-25 with hands-on conservation service opportunities.

Their members protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces in all 50 states.

Contributing sponsors for the tour, American Eagle Outfitters, Sony Corporation, and The Coca-Cola Company, join Southwest Airlines to help SCA build the next generation of conservation leaders and its quest to protect and restore America’s parks, forests, and urban green spaces.

To view the Conservation In Action Tour schedule, visit www.southwest.com/Tour40.

Community Briefs

Curb painting service notices have been found on City of Riverside residents’ doorsteps. The notice asks residents for a voluntary donation to repaint address numbers on the curb.

The City of Riverside would like residents to be aware that such companies are in no way affiliated with or working at the City’s request. In addition, City of Riverside residents are not required by any City code to have home address numbers painted on the curb. The only requirement for addresses is they are visible from the home near the front door or other entry. Again, if you receive pressure to pay a “donation” or fee for service, you are under no obligation by any code to do so.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious or harassing activity to Riverside Police Department (951) 787-7911.

SAN BERNARDINOSB Opens Call Center to Improve Customer Service

Quality customer service is about to improve with the advent of the new SB Direct call center. San Bernardino residents will now be able to reach the city government with one number for all of their non-emergency questions and concerns.

A kick off celebration for the new call center will take place on June 15, 2011, inside City Hall located at 300 N. “D” St. San Bernardino.

SB Direct, the one stop shop for all non-emergency calls can be reached by dialing the new easy to remember number, (909) 384-SBSB that’s (909) 384-7272. All calls will be sent straight to a highly skilled and trained staff that can assist callers with many general questions, open requests for service and forward calls to an appropriate person or department. The call center was created as a means to address and improve the current customer service. The new helpline will work to diminish reaching uninformed personnel, or being transferred back and forth. Constituents will receive a follow-up call from the call center staff regarding the status of their requests or to notify a caller if their service requests will be closed, along with an explanation.

FONTANAGolf Tournament to Benefit Scholarship Foundation

The Wilmer Amina Carter Foundation Third Annual Golf Classic charity event on June 24, 2011 recognizes graduating students at Wilmer Amina Carter High School and other high schools in the 62nd District.

District 62 Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter is host of the tournament and awards dinner at Sierra Lakes Golf Course in Fontana. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and shotgun start is 12:30 p.m. The funds raised go toward college scholarships, internships and youth leadership training programs.

The California Department of Transportation and San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) will host a public meeting this month to present the results of the Draft Environmental Document for the Interstate 15/Interstate 215 Interchange Improvements Project in Devore.

The public meeting will be held Monday, June 20 from 4:30 pm to 7 pm at Kimbark Elementary School, 18021 Kenwood Avenue, in the Devore area.

Caltrans and SANBAG have been studying the proposed addition of one northbound lane and one southbound lane on Interstate 15 between Kenwood Avenue and Interstate 215.